Verizon signs up as latest Ubuntu smartphone backer

US number one operator Verizon Wireless became the latest member of the Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group, the second 100 million connection-plus partner to be announced this week, following China Unicom.

In a statement, Samir Vaidya from the device technology team at the operator, said: “Verizon Wireless is joining Ubuntu’s Carrier Advisory Group to participate in technology discussions around this new platform, which has the ability to bring new and exciting features to developers and ultimately, customers.”

Announced last month, the Carrier Advisory Group is also backed by Deutsche Telekom, EE, KT, Smartfren, Telecom Italia, LG U+, Portugal Telecom, SK Telecom and “the leading Spanish international carrier” (presumably, Telefonica).

Members of the group will have access to early information about the platform and device manufacturer plans, as well as a period of exclusivity on Ubuntu-powered devices in their markets.

However, as yet the platform is somewhat lacking in device vendor support.